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Thu, 26 Apr 2018 08:27:09 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.25Raja of Mahmudabad: Treasures of culturehttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/raja-mahmudabad-treasures-culture/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/raja-mahmudabad-treasures-culture/#commentsWed, 25 Apr 2018 10:10:11 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=10376Opulent palaces, spectacular jewels, vintage cars and resplendent finery—if those are the only things you think royalty is all about, you haven’t met the right kind of Raja. On a crisp winter morning in Lucknow, with the wind chilling us to the bone and making us hug ourselves close, we enter the gates of the...

]]>Opulent palaces, spectacular jewels, vintage cars and resplendent finery—if those are the only things you think royalty is all about, you haven’t met the right kind of Raja. On a crisp winter morning in Lucknow, with the wind chilling us to the bone and making us hug ourselves close, we enter the gates of the Mahmudabad Palace, a majestic property that speaks in muted tones of past glories, elaborate titles and great prestige.

In one of this erstwhile Palace’s rooms—a veritable cave of treasure, albeit the kind that’s bound in covers: history, philosophy, mathematics, astrophysics, religion, literature, poetry and so on and so forth— we sit face to face with royalty: Mohammad Amir Mohammad Khan, fondly called Suleiman Bhai, and formally still known as ‘Raja sahib’, the Raja of Mahmudabad. Dressed against the cold in a long gown, which he informs us is the Moroccan Djellaba, the Raja is a distinguished-looking man with aristocracy written all over his face, and a little something else—kindness, perhaps, and serenity, with a touch of poetry. And poetry flows abundantly in our conversation—Persian and Urdu couplets at appropriate moments—even as he quotes, with equal ease, verses from the Quran and shlokas from the Ramayana.

An articulate man, there is an air of old world charm about him, his manner reminding one of a bygone era and a culture that has all but vanished, a depth and sensitivity that is so rare to come by. And yet, even more strikingly, Mohammad Khan is a veritable historical text unto himself, his answer to every question wreathed in layers and layers of history. But he is quick to remind you that he is a mathematician, not a historian—a mathematician and a theoretical astrophysicist. A Raja indeed — possessing the boundless wealth of knowledge.

One does feel curious though, as to how, even in this day and age, he is still referred to as a Raja? And how did his forbearers get the title of Raja in the first place, considering that the royalty of Awadh is obviously associated with the title of Nawab? The answer begins long, long ago, in the annals of history.

“That’s a very good question,” smiles Khan. “You say many people wonder, but in fact many people don’t ask! Only some people do, and those people have thought about it and wondered. It’s interesting, because many of the existing Rajwaras in India, the Nawabs and all, they sometimes inadvertently call me Nawab. Because in their minds a Muslim is associated with the position of a Nawab and a Hindu is associated with the position of a Raja and Maharaja. And I don’t blame them for that. But they don’t know the reason.”

“Many of the existing Rajwaras in India, the Nawabs and all, they sometimes inadvertently call me Nawab”

“You see, when the Mughal emperor from Delhi sent Burhan ul Mulk as Nawab Wazir, the Nawab Wazir part got shortened to Nawab. This was a position similar to a Viceroy. But nobody took the trouble of saying Nawab Wazir all the time. So one after another, right up to Wajid Ali Shah, this entire line became the Nawabs of Lucknow. Wajid Ali Shah’s grandfather’s elder brother was the first king of Awadh, known as the Shah e Awadh. But the word Nawab was still associated with them. Later the British began emphasising, for their own ends, the importance of Awadh—essentially to break up the Mughal Empire.”

He pauses, to emphasise the point: “The Mughal Empire was actually the symbol of the unity of India as one understands it in those times. The throne in Delhi was therefore very important and the British wanted to displace the Mughal emperor, and weaken him before displacement as much as possible. So in Awadh they played to the ambitions of the Nawabs and encouraged them to declare themselves as King, which they did. And it was the British who recognised him.”

“It is said that when the emissary from Awadh went to the Emperor of the time—one of the lesser Mughals— the emissary put it in the most florid language. He said, if there were no King in Awadh, how would you then be the King of Kings?” He ends the episode with a flourish, the cadences of his voice adding drama to the narration. Our conversation is interspersed with such witty anecdotes, history unfolding as if before our very eyes. But we still haven’t reached the answer to the original question.

He continues, then telling us that the Shahs were also called Nawabs by people and so the title of Raja was meant for differentiation. Raja would be subordinate of the Emperor and of the Shah in Awadh. And then he reveals a fact that is utterly surprising, especially in how little known it is.

“A point that’s been concealed deliberately—or perhaps by oversight,” he emphasises, “is that at the height of the Mughal Empire, the Rajas and the Nawabs were not hereditary. None of them. I’m giving the biggest example: when Jaipur became a part of the Mughal Empire, the ruler was called a Raja. In addition to that, he was addressed as the Zamindaar. Do you know why? The Zamindaar was a tax collector and custodian, a representative of the king. So when someone referred to the Raja of Jaipur, they would call him Raja Mansingh, Zamindaar e Jaipur. It was not necessary for his son to be a Raja as well, though. It so happened that nobody interfered.”

“At the height of the Mughal Empire, the Rajas and the Nawabs were not hereditary. None of them.”

At this point, we are joined by Khan’s younger son, Amir, who is doing his PhD in History at Cambridge University, his father’s and mother’s alma mater. He steps into the narrative, adding to it. “The British began to structure and order the princes of India along the lines of British aristocracy—with one thing in mind. To (reward) those who had been loyal to them.”

But the case of Awadh was different. “Wajid Ali Shah took the court very seriously, raised and trained a royal army here,” says the Raja. “The British wanted a symbolic force, but he went beyond that; to the extent of inventing commands in Persian Urdu for the military drill. It was when Akbar came to Lucknow, though, that he created the talluqedars, in Awadh, in whom Wajid Ali Shah saw a wonderful opportunity to create a court.”

And finally comes the answer to our first question: “To our family, he gave the title Raja with a purpose. Because, he said to the Muslims who were being created Rajas, the majority of your subjects are Hindu. In order to create a bond with them, I will make you a Raja.”

Amir, his son, breaks into laughter at this point. “Oh, so this was the question half an hour ago?” He wonders out loud, making us all laugh. And then goes on to narrate an anecdote of his own. “Abba’s a mathematician, and I used to come to him for help with Maths, when I was in university. And it was always a mistake,” he chuckles, “Because Abba would decide that instead of helping me, he would talk about an entirely new direction of Mathematics! I would say Abba please explain this proof to me, and he would say, well that is interesting but have you considered this— and that! An hour and a half later I wouldn’t have any idea about what I originally wanted!”

MEET THE PRINCES: Prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad (left) and Amir Khan Mahmudabad (Right), sons of the Raja, in the grounds of the Qila with the Baradari and Kothi in the background (Photo: Khwaja Faraz- Hodson and Clay)

The senior Khan protests mildly, genially, and then concedes defeat. “My brother in law says,” he tells us, smiling, “that Suleiman Bhai when you’re asked a question, you go round like an eagle in circles over the prey… until that circle finally shortens to the point. But it takes very long!” he grins broadly.

“I used to teach at Cambridge,” he reminisces. “I studied mathematics and also did research on theoretical astrophysics later. So when I was teaching undergraduates in Cambridge, they were very interested in how I taught them, but one day a kind of ‘delegation’ of them met me and said, it is wonderful that you take the time to do this, but you know we miss our dinner in the hall and we have to pay for the entire thing. It’s very expensive. So then I said I’ll take care.” He smiles broadly again. “So I confess that there is a certain kind of desire to expand on things.”

And that is understandable—inevitable too, for a man who is such a storehouse of knowledge and facts and ideas, he positively overflows with them. Take this, for instance: the story of how the Rajas of Jaipur got the title of ‘Sawai’.

“Sawai means ‘sawa’,” he explains. “One and a quarter. So it was during Aurangzeb’s reign that the Jaipur family came to be known as ‘Sawai’. A young man from the Jaipur family had trouble with Aurangzeb, initially a source of conflict between Jaipur and Delhi, but Jaipur was not successful.” The young man in question was Raja Jai Singh II, later known as Sawai Jai Singh.

“The man was brought to court, and Aurangzeb called him towards his throne and held both his hands in his own hands. And he said, what do you say now that you are in my hands? This very young man immediately answered: What greater honour could there be for me that I should be in the hands of the great emperor? Aurangzeb looked around and, because of the young man’s years, said in Persian: He is not just a man, he is a man and a quarter—Sawai!” He concludes with a dramatic flourish, “And this is how the title Sawai came into being.”

In a more philosophical vein, Khan goes on: “Now a lot of families have mythologised the past. I think that reality itself is so interesting that we shouldn’t mythologise it.”

He tells us about Abul Fazl and Faizi, among the Nauratans from Akbar’s court: “Abul Fazl was a great intellectual, a universal kind of man, who knew religious theory, was a poet and a thinker. He and his brother Faizi were geniuses. There is an exegesis—a tafseer of the Quran—written by Faizi, which is ‘benuqat’ (‘nuqta’ refers to the dots used in certain Arabic and Urdu letters, hence benuqat denotes an exegesis which does not make use of any of the Arabic alphabets that have ‘nuqtas’ in them— an astonishing feat). It’s amazing! Jeem, Zaal, Zey, Noon.” He exclaims, naming the alphabets that have not been used. “I think we have that exegesis in our library.”

“Now a lot of families have mythologised the past. I think that reality itself is so interesting that we shouldn’t mythologise it.”

The Raja’s eyes light up with indescribable rapture each time he speaks of the minds of geniuses and great feats of intellectual and spiritual endeavour. His mannerisms, cadences of speech and range of expressions are enough to hold the listener in thrall, almost like a wizard spinning spells right before your eyes. Someone from a distant dream—a man almost unreal.

At one point he puts up the hood of his Djellaba to give us a demonstration of the long, brown gown. And one can’t help but be reminded of Albus Dumbledore, the kind but powerful wizard created by JK Rowling.

Turning back to reality, we discuss with him the books in the famous Mahmudabad library. The Mahmudabad Library houses thousands of rare manuscripts and printed books and the estate is working on the preservation of manuscripts in collaboration with various international organisations and institutes.

PALACE VIEW: The Muqeem Manzil is a room in the Qila, named after Muqeemuddaula Nawab Ali Khan who was martyred in 1857. The Qila was blown up by the British and later rebuilt. Banquets are held in the main hall and dinners and lunches in the smaller reception rooms surrounding Muqeem Manzil. (Photo: Khwaja Faraz- Hodson and Clay)

“My (elder) son Ali, who teaches at Ashoka University, has been successful in getting a grant from the British library on our terms and conditions, which means, within the framework of the Indian law,” he explains. “There are people here visiting us at the moment, from various institutes, as there was a conference here funded by The Islamic Manuscripts Association, the Roshan Institute (University of Maryland) and people from the University of Maryland. There is Dr Fatimeh Keshavarz from Maryland, Professor Richard who was formerly director of the National Archives of France and also director of the Islamic archives at the Louvre, and Dr Jake Benson from Leiden University.”

All of these illustrious personalities are guest of the Raja, and he rises to have lunch with them. We are invited to have lunch with them as well, and this turns out to be a delightful, blissful affair as Persian, Urdu and English poetry flows headily, abundantly between us. Complete indulgence and intoxication for the mind.

Post lunch, we resume our conversation, and I bring him back to the subject of Mahmudabad library, asking him of the rarest, most precious manuscripts. “It’s very difficult to say because each time I look at a book I find something new in it,” he explains. “There are Qurans that are beautifully written, just to look at them—in the Kufic script and the Nastaliq, and the Taliq—it’s extraordinary.”

His son adds an important observation to this: “I think all (our forbearers) who collected books, manuscripts and all, never looked at it as acquiring something material. It was never an investment that we might be able to capitalise on in the future. It was looked at as access to knowledge. And so, depending on your stage of mind, a different book becomes precious.”

“All (our forbearers) who collected books, manuscripts and all, never looked at it as acquiring something material. It was looked at as access to knowledge.”

Khan explains further: “It’s very difficult to read manuscripts you know. You have to have time and devote yourself to reading them—sometimes they are fragile and so on. But otherwise there are books on poetry— there’s Nizami, Hafez, Saadi, Rumi. A large collection, we’re still going through it. Every time we look at it there’s something novel.”

What’s more, there’s also a large collection of poetry by their forbearers, as Amir informs us. But they’re not in the form of books. “It’s either marsiyas, or salaams or ghazals. And some books, such as the book ‘Jawn, Martyr of Karbala Lamented’ by Raja Mohammad Amir Ahmed Khan have been republished recently with critical introductions. Hazrat Jawn was one of the companions of Imam Husain,” he elucidates. “It was interesting that Jawn was chosen as the subject of the marsiyas because he was an Ethiopian former slave, an elderly man over 80 years old, who had got his freedom in order to fight as a free man alongside Imam Husain. And so it is a tradition in our family that when we recite from the mimbar (raised platform) during Muharram, we recite the poetry of our forbearers.”

Marsiyas and salaams, poetry in the form of lamentations and elegies, are an integral part of Muharram, a deeply spiritual month for Shia Muslims wherein they mourn the supreme sacrifice of Imam Husain. More importantly, it is also a huge part of the syncretic heritage of Mahmoodabad, where the majlis gatherings are not just an important spiritual activity, but also a literary and cultural one. The marisyas, the soz and salaams beautifully blend the poetic and musical traditions of Hindus and Muslims, for they are recited in the Indian classical ragas and raginis.

“I believe Muharram is a very important practice which helps in keeping this culture alive,” emphasises the Raja. The soz, the marsiyas are recited in the Indian classical ragas and raginis. However it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to do it—the patronage is gone. So there is no confidence in those who practice these arts that they would have a livelihood permanently and in future. There is a doubt in their minds, you see, and that makes them go away from the art. The point is, that food and music require our interactive patronage. A cook cannot cook perfectly, cannot improve his skills, cannot bring in other flavours to enhance the food unless the person who eats tells him.”

“These traditions, the musicality, reflect something incredibly important, particularly at a time when we see a certain kind of idea of India emerging. And that something is the multiplicity of confluences that went into creating the particular repositories of culture,” highlights Amir. “So we may sing elegies in memory of the martyrs of Karbala but we sing them in terms of Indian ragas and raginis. And each one of the raginis is a deity in the Hindu pantheon! It is Hindustani classical music. Wajid Ali Shah, the King of Awadh, was a great aesthete when it came to music and dance. His personal involvement in the rehabilition of Kathak is regarded even to this day. He was a very, very cultured man and a poet. But unfortunately the image that has been presented of him is that of a man who was decadent.”

“We may sing elegies in memory of the martyrs of Karbala but we sing them in terms of Indian ragas and raginis. And each one of the raginis is a deity in the Hindu pantheon”

So how does the estate of Mahmudabad promote these now? He accepts that the legal complications and controversy surrounding his property, because of the amendments introduced by the government in the Enemy Property Act with retrospective effect, put material constraints on all that he would like to do. “It’s very difficult for me to do all that because I have material constraints. And I feel that –the government may vehemently deny this—but somehow they misread us on the one hand and also at the same time they wanted symbolically to burden me with something for which I was not responsible, which was my father’s involvement with the creation of Pakistan. In order to symbolically punish him—my father is gone and he could not be directly punished by them— I am being used as a surrogate for him. Which is completely wrong because I have always been an Indian, never a Pakistani. My mother was never a Pakistani, always lived an Indian, died an Indian. One of the lawyers in Supreme Court said, the late Raja helped the creation of Pakistan and this Raja who’s sitting here is trying to create another Pakistan!”

And all this, despite the fact that he is also a former legislator, having served as MLA from the Congress twice. A Muslim politician who used to begin all of his speeches with a shloka from Ramayana—as his son informs us.

“In order to symbolically punish him—my father is gone and he could not be directly punished— I am being used as a surrogate for him, which is completely wrong because I have always been an Indian.”

He continues, “Mr Jailtey’s speech in the Rajya Sabha shows how they are trying to make me fight a court case for my rights—a right that I won unequivocally and unconditionally and completely in the Supreme Court (in 2005) and had been handed over everything.”

“So now with our limited resources, we promote cuisines, cultural and poetic events, the publication of books, and keeping alive the syncretic culture through Muharram,” he says.

The syncretism of the Indian civilisation is something he believes very strongly in, and is very vocal about. Ask him about the idea of India, and this is what he says.

“This is a very difficult question. The greatness of the Indian civilisation lies in one very distinctive feature that it has absorbed so many influences and not rejected any of them and has actually, in a very gentle form, influenced them not to grow in one direction, but in multiple directions, whatever way they originally came from. So Islam became a sort of Indian inflected Islam in the way it was expressed or practiced. I do not know—people talk of composite culture— I don’t know quite what that means, but I do know this, that cultures influence each other, that they are not like water-soluble dye which just goes into water and vanishes. They are the insoluble dyes that retain their colours in the water in which they flow, have their own dynamics and their own flow. Without mixing with the water, but being a part of that system— being a part of that water. Syncretism does not mean that Islamic principles are diluted or compromised. That, to my mind, is the strength of it. And that should be the strength. If it’s not, if that dye is being transformed into one which dissolves, it will be a loss for India.”

“India is a continent in itself!” He exclaims fervently. “People want to consider it as a nation! I consider it a continent, which is much greater than a nation. You see? And there are cultures and languages and ideas and cuisines and thoughts and religions and sects and subsects and so on. The one wonderful thing is that there has rarely been any attempt to impose uniformity. Uniformity can be terrible. It can appear a regimentation where you just slot everyone into one and everyone goes down the same line. For me, the love of the country is not an abstract concept. It’s not just saluting a flag or singing the national anthem—these are abstract things. For me, the love of the country is the love of those who live around me.”

And he presents an example of this syncretism in personal life as well, for his wife is from a renowned Hindu family of Udaipur, the daughter of former Foreign Secretary, Jagat Mehta. “I do not think that ideas, beliefs are like political divisions and countries in the world where you draw boundaries. It is something much beyond that. There are values and beliefs which transcend religions and those may act as bridges to travel from one to the other. People may call it submission, or coming together of two cultures, but this is only a name. The essence is that the core remains.”

“For me, the love of the country is not an abstract concept, not just saluting a flag or singing the national anthem. For me, the love of the country is the love of those who live around me.”

The entire heritage of Mahmudabad represents the syncretic culture of India, says the Raja, but with an important distinction. “By being rooted in our own tradition. Not through the wishy-washy diluted kind of thing. By being rooted in this tradition, I recognise the importance of the other traditions—and the fact that our roots somewhere are intertwined. As an entity above the ground, I am separate. But I’m intertwined with that earth—with this land—not just the soil. The people, the thought, the philosophy. And we must never allow this to die. Because this is the richness which God has endowed us with.”

Adds his son, “There is no such thing as the clash of civilisations; there is no Muslim culture and Hindu culture. For religion to become a part of the fabric of societies, it can’t be isolated, or try and retain some kind of purity. There are many traditions we have here which can be traced to other religious traditions. So my mother, yes, she was from a non-Muslim family, but many of the traditions of their family mirror the traditions of ours. It was quite natural for her because the roots were the same.”

Those common traditions include linguistic influences, for instance. “Take a look at the language of Mewari. Mewari has a huge number of words that are derived from Persian. In terms of levels of politeness, the way in which you speak to your elders with respect, is actually using Persian terminology,” explains Amir.

“I think the concept of morality is a universal concept. And the awareness of that existed in her family as well, of course,” interjects the Raja emphatically.

He points out that even one of the Sikh gurus wrote Persian poetry. “Language is a vehicle and a carrier not just of thought, but it has roots somewhere and has evolved through a certain religio-cultural system, to come to mean what it is.”

TRACING HISTORY: The Dar-e Daulat or main gate of the Qila of Mahmudabad. On the top are the arches that form the naubatkhaana where the Shehnai is still played to this day during Muharram. (Photo: Prof Ali Khan Mahmudabad)

So what are the literary and cultural pursuits of a modern day Raja, I ask him. He tells me about discussions and conversations with people of erudition, and how he longs to have more of those.

“There is much that I read,” he says. “And talk to people as much as I can. There’s a great dearth of individuals who are interested now in these kind of pursuits. There’s a young man, a close relative of Maulana Jalauddin Abdul Matin, popularly known as Matin miyan, who was a wonderful sufi and aalim from Farangi Mahal —though he would have objected to the word aalim! He was very close to me. One of his nephews is there and he imbibed quite a lot from him, so I look forward now to interacting with him as I interacted with Matin miyan. There are literary figures—Sharib Rudolvi sahib, Anees Ashfaq sahib, Husain Afsar sahib—and it’s a pleasure to talk to them. But I miss Matin miyan. I miss the kind of company which my father had when he used to visit India, and I search that. On certain days, I’m more inclined towards reading on mathematics, mathematical physics—it’s hard because it needs devotion, concentration, single mindedness—none of which I have, and which I try and collect together and put in an effort to do it. So I alternate between mathematics and mathematical physics, theoretical astrophysics, to literature. Theoretical astrophysics is mathematical physics, you see, with the difference that it talks about the universe and the stars and galaxies.”

“I didn’t move around amongst people of my own age! I was invariably with people who were 15, 20, 30 years older.”

“The things that I do miss very much are the people, and of course that’s inevitable. So many of them have gone. And the reason is because I didn’t move around amongst people of my own age! I was invariably with people who were 15, 20, 30 years older.” And that, perhaps, is what has made him what he is, I think aloud. “Exactly, you are right!” he agrees. “I yearn for their company. So I close my eyes and I see in this very room where we are sitting, poets, writers, ulema…” he trails off wistfully. And you can just see him sitting here surrounded by them; see the room come alive with sublime poetry and deep intellectual ruminations.

More treasures of tales from the Raja’s life spill out before us as we speak.

Watch this space for the uncovering of more secrets in the second half of this two-part series on the life and loves of the Raja of Mahmudabad.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/raja-mahmudabad-treasures-culture/feed/0Precious pups for the privilegedhttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/precious-pups-privileged/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/precious-pups-privileged/#commentsFri, 04 Aug 2017 07:15:30 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=9222Pet lovers just can’t do without the furry, loving, exuberant creatures that dogs are. But for the one that has it all, just any common pooch won’t make the cut. For all lovers of luxury out there, these grand dogs—the most expensive ones in the world—make for perfect gifts, guards and perfect companions. In ascending...

]]>Pet lovers just can’t do without the furry, loving, exuberant creatures that dogs are. But for the one that has it all, just any common pooch won’t make the cut. For all lovers of luxury out there, these grand dogs—the most expensive ones in the world—make for perfect gifts, guards and perfect companions. In ascending order, here is a handpicked list of the most expensive dog breeds that you can find on the planet.

Canadian Eskimo is a powerful and athletic breed, often considered to be one of North America’s oldest and rarest remaining purebred indigenous domestic canines. Their imposing appearance makes them good guard dogs too. If you’d like one of these, you’d have to fork out about $6000.

Pharaoh Hound

National hound of Malta, mythologically said to be descended from Egyptian hunting dog Tesem; priced over $6,500

This grand sounding name belongs to the national hound of Malta. Its native name is Kelb tal-Fenek in Maltese, which means “Rabbit dog”. Despite what their grand name might make you think, the Pharaoh Hound has absolutely no links with Egypt. However, if legend is to be believed, this breed supposedly descended from the Tesem, one of the ancient Egyptian hunting dogs. Traditionally used for hunting rabbits in the Maltese Islands, the Pharaoh Hound possesses a very royal look, high intelligence and athletic disposition. However, they are very independent and tire easily with repetitive commands. Priced upwards of $6,500 these are one of the most striking-looking dogs—adept jumpers with very little body fat.

Rottweiler

German dogs previously known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund or Rottweil butchers’ dogs; priced over $7,000

The Rottweiler is a German dog, commonly used in European countries as police, military and companion dog. They can be overly aggressive to strangers and other animals, though, and need proper socialization and training from a young age. The dogs were known in German as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning Rottweil butchers’ dogs, because one of their uses was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market. If you’d like to have one of these as your companion, though, you’d have to shell out upwards of $7, 000.

Tibetan Mastiff

One of these was sold for $2million in China—but you can buy them for about $9,000

Originating from Tibet, China, Nepal, Ladakh, and Central Asia, the prices for this breed can reach upto $9,000, with one of these dogs making history in 2014 by being sold for $2 million at a luxury pet fair in China! Tibetan Mastiff is one the largest and most protective breeds in the world—and also among the most expensive of course. These dogs can be as tall as 33 inches and weigh a huge 160 pounds.

Samoyed

Bred by the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia, these are one of the world’s most expensive breed, priced between $7,000 and $12,000

This breed of fluffy white dog takes its name from the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia. These nomadic reindeer herders bred these dogs to help with the herding, and to pull sleds when they moved. The Samoyed is a playful, competitive, strong and alert breed—and it’s one of the most expensive breeds in the world. Expect to shell out anywhere between $7,000 and $12,000 if you’d like to own the Samoyed

Lowchen

Lowchens or Little Lions are among the rarest breeds on the planet, with new registrations every year numbering only in hundreds; price upwards of $10,000

The small, long haired Löwchens are one of the rarest and most unique dog breeds on the planet. Also known as “little lions”, these dogs have been recognized as a breed since the Renaissance, and their rarity is represented by the fact that new registrations of the breed number only in the hundreds every year. A Lowchen companion can cost you upwards of $10,000. So this might be a befitting gift for that rarest of rare person in your life.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/precious-pups-privileged/feed/0Most expensive diamonds ever sold at auctionshttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/expensive-diamonds-ever-sold-auctions/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/expensive-diamonds-ever-sold-auctions/#commentsThu, 22 Jun 2017 10:32:42 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=8805From blue to pink and orange, these huge rocks in unusual colours took everyone’s breath away when they came into the spotlight. Feast your eyes on them and the humongous amounts they fetched at auctions. Beginning with the highest priced, here’s a list of the top five: The Pink Star – $71.2 Million This gigantic...

]]>From blue to pink and orange, these huge rocks in unusual colours took everyone’s breath away when they came into the spotlight. Feast your eyes on them and the humongous amounts they fetched at auctions. Beginning with the highest priced, here’s a list of the top five:

The Pink Star – $71.2 Million

This gigantic 59.60-carat Pink Star diamond went for $83.02 million at Sotheby’s November 2014 auction in Geneva but Isaac Wolf, a New York-based diamond cutter who outbid three rivals for the diamond, actually proved to be unable to pay for it. But it was auctioned off this year at Sotheby’s Hong Kong for $71.2 million. It is the largest Internally Flawless, Fancy Vivid pink diamond ever graded by the GIA.

The Oppenheimer Blue -$57.5 million

Before the Pink Star, the Oppenheimer Blue held the record for the highest sum fetched at auction. As the largest Vivid Blue diamond to ever appear at auction, the Oppenheimer Blue diamond fetched a mind blowing $57.5 million in Geneva on May 18, 2016. Named after its previous owner, Sir Philip Oppenheimer—the former chairman of De Beers— this huge 14.62-carat rock claimed an amount well above its asking price of $35 – $45 million. But one look at it, and you’d understand why. A thing of beauty is indeed a joy forever.

The Graff Pink – $46 Million

The 24.78-carat, rectangle shaped Graff Pink Diamond is rated ‘fancy intense pink’ and was purchased for $46 million in 2010 by “the King of Bling”, British billionaire Laurence Graff. The diamond was once owned by American celebrity jeweller Harry Winston. Before its sale, the stone was expected to enter the list of the top ten most expensive diamonds in the world; on selling for US $46 million it became the most expensive single jewel ever sold at auction at that time.

The Princie – $40 Million

The 34.65-carat pink Princie Diamond is also a fancy intense pink, and what’s more, it is 300 years old, initially discovered from the Golconda mines in India. In 2013, it was sold for $40 million by Christie’s New York. The gem has an interesting history behind it—it has been the cause of a big family feud. In March 2015, Amedeo Angiolillo, an Italian millionaire, sued Christie’s, claiming that his beloved diamond had been stolen by “a backstabbing step-sibling” who had no right to sell the diamond. What actually happened was that the diamond had initially been bought by Angiolillo’s father, Renato, who gave it to his second wife, Maria Girani. Girani held the diamond in her possession until her death. When Angiolillo attempted to repossess the diamond, he discovered that Girani’s son, Marco Biachi Lilella had taken it. According to Christie’s it is the third largest Pink Diamond in the world.

The Orange – $35.5 Million

And now we come to another intense, vibrant colour. The Orange is a 14.82 carat diamond named after its colour and is the largest fancy vivid orange diamond in the world. It was sold in 2013 at Christie Geneva’s Magnificent Jewels sale for $35.5 million. The diamond far surpassed its estimated price of $21 million and broke the world record for price per carat for any coloured diamond sold at auction.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/expensive-diamonds-ever-sold-auctions/feed/0The finest Indian hotels to get married inhttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/the-finest-indian-hotels-to-get-married-in/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/the-finest-indian-hotels-to-get-married-in/#commentsWed, 26 Apr 2017 18:30:42 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=8226Planning a wedding and looking for the perfect destination? Whether you’re the opulence loving old-world royalty types, or the seaside fairytale seeker, or simply looking for a hidden gem where you take your vows in pristine, secret, detached-from-the-world style—we have you covered. Take your pick from these five hotels offering a variety of indulgences to...

]]>Planning a wedding and looking for the perfect destination? Whether you’re the opulence loving old-world royalty types, or the seaside fairytale seeker, or simply looking for a hidden gem where you take your vows in pristine, secret, detached-from-the-world style—we have you covered. Take your pick from these five hotels offering a variety of indulgences to choose from.

Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad, Telangana

The world’s longest dining table for a sit down dinner

What could possibly be more regal than the former residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad himself? The 60 restored rooms evoke old world splendour, while the six venues are of varying sizes; the sprawling lawn has a capacity for 1,500 people. A sit-down dinner at the 101 Dining Hall housing the world’s longest dining table—at 110ft—is an absolute must-do. And the Nizam’s very own spectacular suite, shaped like a scorpion, is all yours for the taking.

Suryagarh, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

A sundowner at the Lakhmana dunes and the halwai breakfast are highlights of a wedding here

Royalty abounds in India, and Rajasthan is the ultimate destination to experience it. Suryagarh is a fortified royal retreat that pampers you in every way imaginable. The ample venue choices—a smorgasbord of courtyards, patios and lakeside venues—provide a fresh backdrop for every function. A sundowner at the Lakhmana dunes and the halwai breakfast are highlights of a wedding here.

The Leela Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

A beach ceremony, and maybe a cliff top reception at India’s only cliff-top luxe resort

If royalty isn’t your preferred style but the pristine seaside for a fairytale wedding, then The Leela Kovalam is perfect for you. As India’s only cliff-top luxury beach resort, it guarantees a jaw-droppingly gorgeous backdrop. This place offers you a beach ceremony, and maybe a reception at the cliff top. Apart from the 183 rooms and suites, the hotel packs in 15,860sqft of banquet venues. Pandal, the rustic Kerala hall, oozes charm and is only five minutes from the beach—tailor made for the Mandap. For a more traditional wedding, their convention centre, the largest in Kerala, can accommodate up to 900 guests.

The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa, New Chandigarh, Punjab

A wedding venue surrounded by 8,000 acres of protected natural forest

Fancy a city wedding but in an island of calm? The Oberoi Sukhvilas is a brand new property that’s 45-minutes away from Chandigarh airport yet surrounded by 8,000 acres of protected natural forest, and is largely unexplored as a wedding destination, so you would have that added edge. An added appeal is their 12,000sqft spa, adjacent to the forest and perfect for post-wedding relaxation.

The Barefoot at Havelock, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Natural thatched tents, cottages, and villas for guests at the offbeat destination wedding

So you want something completely offbeat to seal your vows of love? Would you like to skip the fanfare and claim each other on a paradise far removed from the crowds? The Barefoot resort is a tropical paradise waiting for you on the world famous Beach No 7 at Havelock. The 25 elegantly designed thatched tents, cottages, and villas can hold your inner circle as you celebrate this most precious moment of your life.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/the-finest-indian-hotels-to-get-married-in/feed/0Keep it Skinlicious India’s Star Skin Saviourshttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/keep-it-skinlicious-indias-star-skin-saviours/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/keep-it-skinlicious-indias-star-skin-saviours/#commentsThu, 13 Apr 2017 12:38:17 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=8078When it comes to the best kept secrets between women, the most closely guarded one is of their facialists’s address. Tested and tried, these finger-smiths are the gold standard in any self-respecting beauty junkie’s vanity kit, and their fame spreads by the most exclusive channel, that is by word-of-mouth. Going a notch above the tribe...

]]>When it comes to the best kept secrets between women, the most closely guarded one is of their facialists’s address. Tested and tried, these finger-smiths are the gold standard in any self-respecting beauty junkie’s vanity kit, and their fame spreads by the most exclusive channel, that is by word-of-mouth. Going a notch above the tribe of spa & salon based beauticians, blurring the strict lines between the hitherto mutually exclusive worlds of green and clinical beauty treatments, is the progressive clan of medical aestheticians. Promising an integrative approach to anti-aging and holistic beauty, bringing together aesthetics, skincare and wellness, these trained professionals are much more than just dermatologists, and their science is aimed at not just curative but also preventive practices. These medical aestheticians are now part of every beauty diva’s little black book of secrets and their names are taken in hallowed whispers at the lunching ladies’ tables.

PINS & NEEDLES | While fillers and botox treatments are now passé, there are more exciting prospects on offer like mesobotox, vampire facials, laser rejuvenation and more

One of the most liberating things about visiting an aesthetician is that you will not be referred to as a ‘patient’, which you’d be classified as in the dermat’s register. They bring to the table not the scalpel, but an arsenal of tools and procedures, which are the cutting edge of skincare services and innovations. Moreover, just surface treatments like facials and kitchen remedies might not deliver the same targeted and holistic effects that the precision-led treatments and customised elixirs at the aestheticians will do. Millennials have realised the potency of this trend and totally hearting these medicine men who come with the promise not of the potential fallouts of a nip and tuck gone wrong, or even a botched up botox session, but with the more enduring results of less invasive procedures like Vampire facials, microneedling, radiofrequency and laser treatments, Coolsculpting and more of these aesthetically enhancing cosmetic dermatology procedures, going beyond just the face onto specific problem areas integrating with the whole body.

BEAUTY GURU | Once Mumbai’s best kept secret, Dr Dinyar Boxwalla is the favourite B-tow beauties who swear by his customised skincare products

Leading this trend in India are our own expert medical aestheticians catering to the well-heeled and well-known. Names like skin aesthetician Dr Dinyar Workingboxwalla are not under-the-radar anymore as patronage by multiple celebrity clients including Lara Dutta, Mehr Jesia and Nimrat Kaur has ensured that he is now not Mumbai’s best kept secret. His mantra of “3Rs, rectify, restore and rejuvenate” has found credence in his approach which combines a holistic approach with stress on a routine beauty regimen. As he chooses to rephrases the term facial massage to facial treatment, it does speak of his training in cosmetology from reputed institutes across the world, further supplemented by a degree in naturopathy. Dr Boxwalla is a front runner among this novel tribe of skin and hair specialists, who straddle the new and the old with ease. Model Sheetal Mallar and Bollywood actress, Nimrat Kaur, swear by his products which he personalizes for them. His clinic in Bandra is also the hotspot for many a B-town celeb looking at not a quick fix but an advanced alternative to the regular dermatologist and a salon beautician. For those not about to visit Mumbai, his book, Beauty Unleashed, also has valuable advice and tips for getting a kickstart.

Based out of Mumbai is also Dr Jamuna Pai who set up Bluch Clinic, renamed SkinLab, a pioneer in providing high end aesthetic treatments and beauty services, which today provides global procedures like coolsculpting. Dr Pai has been the consultant cosmetic dermatologist for many beauty pageants and has her own line of products

ALL FOR AESTHETICA | Being the choice of many stars, Dr Jaishree Sharad is also the founder of Skinfinity clinics which offer the very best and latest skin and body treatments

With a clients’ diary comprising of Bollywood A-listers like Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan and more, Dr Jaishree Sharad is also the Vice President of the Cosmetic Dermatology Society of India and the Executive Board member of the European Society of Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dermatology. She has founded her own skin clinic brand, Skinfiniti, in Mumbai where cutting edge treatments like the Exilis Skin tightening and body contouring were introduced and continue to be offered. Dr Sharad is also an international trainer for botox, fillers, dermaroller and peels where she teaches dermatologists all the above procedures, while she keeps herself up to date with all that’s latest in the field of minimally invasive cosmetic dermatology.

Another name which is a favourite among the Bollywood fraternity is that of Dr Rashmi Shetty, who also counts sports world luminaries among her clients, visiting her at her clinics in Mumbai and Hyderabad. She introduced breakthrough aesthetic treatments like like Juvederm and Voluma in India and is an expert when it comes to fillers. She believes that botox and fillers, when administered rightly, and combined with the correct skin care products can help maintain a naturally youthful look. Her experience of over a decade is bolstered further by the fact that she’s one of the first movers in the field of aesthetic medicine in India and is also the first Indian to be on the scientific board of World Congress of Anti-Ageing, while being associated with brands such as Pond’s, Unilever, Parachute, Bio oil, etc.

CAPITAL COMFORT | Going to a Skin Alive or Lumiere Dermatology is part of a ‘Sunday well-spent’ plan for many Delhi residents who are

Next up is Dr Aparna Santhanam, a dermatologist, cosmetologist and trichologist based out of Mumbai who headed Kaya Clinics and is now associated with brands like Pond’s and Cipla. While she advocates the use of modern machine-based skin treatments, she belives that the doctor should know when to stop and educate the patient in the limits of cosmetic intervention. She also believes that “skin care must be easy to follow, with results to last you a lifetime”. Her best-selling book, Skin Deep, informs the readers about what to eat for glowing skin.

While one might think that with the above names being based out of Mumbai, one needs to travel for a date with the skin care expert, this is not the case. Two of the leading medical aestheticians in India are also based out of Delhi and their clinics offer a whole gamut of services for the face, body and hair. There’s Dr Chiranjiv Chhabra with her line of Skin Alive clinics which offer the latest innovations in tech-led beauty body therapies. She is also a member of International Society of Laser Surgery and Medicine, and founded similar outfits in India. Her clinics have state-of-art equipment for treatments such as AFFIRM, a fractional laser technology for skin rejuvenation, tightening and wrinkle reduction, for Thermage, one of the latest and most effective treatments available for skin lift, body contouring, and for oxygen age correction therapies which solve a lot of skin issues apart from anti-ageing. Dr Chhabra has also been awarded the ‘Best Dermatologist of the Year’ by Vogue magazine.

Trained in New York, Dr Kiran practises out of her Lumiere Dermatology clinic in Delhi and is also credited with having developed her own brand of cosmetic skincare, COSMEDIC. Named as one of the best dermatologists by Elle, she is American Board Certified with degrees in aesthetic medicine, cosmetic lasers while her focus is on exploring the intersection between cosmetic formulation and dermatology. She is also the go-to doctor renowned for her proprietary NY Facial, a triple therapy combination that gets you red carpet ready in just under an hour, and has long term skin benefits.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/keep-it-skinlicious-indias-star-skin-saviours/feed/0The Luxe Café curates the best Holi gift ideashttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/luxe-cafe-curates-the-best-holi-gift-ideas/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/luxe-cafe-curates-the-best-holi-gift-ideas/#commentsMon, 13 Mar 2017 03:20:30 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=7678What’s Holi without fun, food, frolic and festivity—and of course, gifts? As you get ready for a splashing day of colours, we bring to you handpicked, exclusive gift ideas for the ones you love, or even to pamper your own self with. Sweet delights from L’Opera The high-end authentic pastry and bakery house specialises in...

]]>What’s Holi without fun, food, frolic and festivity—and of course, gifts? As you get ready for a splashing day of colours, we bring to you handpicked, exclusive gift ideas for the ones you love, or even to pamper your own self with.

Sweet delights from L’Opera

SWEET TREATS | The high-end authentic pastry and bakery house specialises in fluffy, fine French delicacies

The high-end authentic pastry and bakery house specialises in fluffy, fine French delicacies that would make your mouth water. Established by Laurent Samandari in 2008, L’opera was “born out a longing for authentic French breads and pastries”.So take your pick of sweet presents from macarons in pastel shades, assorted cakes ranging from chocolate and raspberry mousse to spectacular fruit tart and truffon, pastries and tarts and quiches and every imaginable temptation! Here’s to sweet times with friends and family.

Ethereal tableware from Good Earth

FESTIVE HOMES | Pastel shades and elegant floral designs define tea sets such as the Serai and the Persia Garden

Come festive times and you don’t just want to look your best, you want your home to look its best too. And that’s why colourful, elegant tableware from Good Earth makes for the perfect gift this Holi. Pastel shades and floral designs define tea sets such as the Serai and the Persia Garden, while Herbal tea tumblers such as the Bagh e Babur, and porcelain ‘Kulhars’ just set the right scene for a gorgeously laid out festive table. Oh, and while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out the breathtakingly exquisite jewel glasses—in bright Indian hues, with detailed designs ranging from splendid peacocks in the Husn e Tairaat to floral and zigzags in Golkonda and miniature-style paintings in Serai. For a little more understated luxury, try the Eskander and Peony glass sets.

Organic Wellness from Kama Ayurveda

GOOD GIFTING | An assortment of organic treatments for detoxifying, distressing, rejuvenating the skin

After you’re done with all the fun and frolic, the colours and the capers, your skin demands some tender loving care. And that’s why the best gift for the skin-savvy friend is this specially crafted Holi box from Kama Ayurveda.The Holi Protect and Cleanse Box contains organic colours, intensive hair treatment bringadi, rose and jasmine face cleanser and retexturising skin treatment, among others. Choose from an assortment of organic treatments for detoxifying, distressing, rejuvenating the skin, and gift some wholesome wellness.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/luxe-cafe-curates-the-best-holi-gift-ideas/feed/0‘Odyssey of a People’: A chronicle of Palestinian historyhttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/odyssey-of-a-people-a-chronicle-of-palestinian-history/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/odyssey-of-a-people-a-chronicle-of-palestinian-history/#commentsWed, 08 Feb 2017 08:08:41 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=7347Leading Christie’s Spring Auction Season in Dubai this time will be ‘Odyssey of a People’, an impressive 6 meter long painting by Ismail Shammout depicting the history of Palestine as well as the important life experiences of this master of Arab modern art. Estimated at $800,000-900,000, this painting was created in 1980 over 6 months...

]]>Leading Christie’s Spring Auction Season in Dubai this time will be ‘Odyssey of a People’, an impressive 6 meter long painting by Ismail Shammout depicting the history of Palestine as well as the important life experiences of this master of Arab modern art. Estimated at $800,000-900,000, this painting was created in 1980 over 6 months of relentless days spent working upon it. Driven by emotion and passion it is the most important seminal work of the artist’s career. Initially exhibited in 1981 in Beirut, the painting was later loaned to Damascus, Malaysia, Kuwait, The Jordan National Museum, Abu Dhabi and finally Ramallah.

The 6-meter long painting will be on preview in Dubai from March 15 to 17 at Christie’s and will be offered for sale on March 18

It was at this location in 2002 that during an Israeli incursion this painting was hidden away in a pillow case by the director of the museum and not displayed publicly since. It was not until the artist’s death in 2006 and the director’s death in 2008 that Shammout’s wife Tamam al Akhal established contact with the driector’s wife and reclaimed the work, which was then kept safely at the Shammout home in Amman, Jordan. This painting will be on preview in Dubai from March 15 to 17 at Christie’s and will be offered for sale on March 18 in the spring auction of Modern and Contemporary Art taking place at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel.

In 2002 during an Israeli incursion this painting was hidden away in a pillow case by the director of the Ramallah museum and not displayed publicly since

The canvas reads from right to left on the pattern of the Arabic language, and retraces historic events of Palestinian history from the Nakba, the subsequent wars of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s to the establishment of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. This is juxtaposed against a sense of hope and unity against the symbol of the Palestinian flag and Kuffiyeh, all the way to a dreamlike expression of liberation and hope in peace and freedom. It was Shammout’s intention to map out the odyssey of his own people and represent his dream of returning home which was never to be realised in his lifetime.

Born under the British Mandate of Palestine, Shammout and his family were among the 25,000 residents of Lydda who feld their homes in 1948 and were relocated the the Gaza refugee camp of Khan Younis. Shammout then later moved to neighbouring Egypt and then Rome to study art. Upon his return to Gaza three years later, he established himself as a distinguished painter and activist.

Shammout joined PLO as Director of Arts and National Culture while also holding the positions of Secretary General of Union of Palestinian Arts and Secretary General of the Union of Arab Artists

After completing his studies in Rome, he settled in Beirut where he joined the Palestinian Liberation Organisation as the Director of Arts and National Culture in 1965 while also holding the positions of Secretary General of theUnion of Palestinian Arts and Secretary General of the Union of Arab Artists. Additionally he established Art in Palestine, one of the first English language publications on Palestinian Art. After the Isralei invasion of Beirut in 1982, Shammout relocated to Kuwait where he was once again forced to leave in the wake of the Gulf War. He finally settled in Amman until his untimely death.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/odyssey-of-a-people-a-chronicle-of-palestinian-history/feed/0Luxe Cafe Exclusive: Luxury shopping severely hit by surgical strike on black moneyhttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/luxe-cafe-exclusive-luxury-shopping-severely-hit-by-surgical-strike-on-black-money/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/luxe-cafe-exclusive-luxury-shopping-severely-hit-by-surgical-strike-on-black-money/#commentsThu, 10 Nov 2016 13:26:05 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=6652Prime Minister Narender Modi’s surgical strike on Black money had an immediate impact on luxury shopping. A Senior official associated with DLF Emporio told The Luxe Cafe that footfall in the mall has taken an 80 per cent hit from the usual working day crowd in the mall. Sales have taken an even worse hit...

]]>Prime Minister Narender Modi’s surgical strike on Black money had an immediate impact on luxury shopping. A Senior official associated with DLF Emporio told The Luxe Cafe that footfall in the mall has taken an 80 per cent hit from the usual working day crowd in the mall. Sales have taken an even worse hit to the tune of 90-95 per cent.

A visit to Emporio, the Mecca of luxury retail in India, was enough to reflect the gloom. The Luxe Café correspondents visited the mall and interacted with a few shop attendants on Wednesday. Some of them on the request of anonymity said the mall has faced a major hit because of the abolition of higher denomination currency notes.

PARADISE LOST | It is no secret that a lot of luxury purchases are cash transactions and much of it is money that’s undeclared in tax filings

One of the attendants at Paul Smith said “Sales have fallen majorly today as compared to the other days.” Other shops including Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Paul & Shark, Fendi have also faced the jolt because of the surgical strike against black money.

Indian luxury market is currently estimated to be worth around $15 billion growing at 25 per cent annual. According to an Assocham 2016 study, “With the increase in brand awareness and purchasing power of the upper class in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, Indian luxury market is expected to cross $18.3 billion by 2016.”Abolition of higher denomination notes will certainly impact the sales of branded luxury items. It is no secret that a lot of luxury purchases are cash transactions and much of it is ‘black money’ or undeclared in tax filings.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/luxe-cafe-exclusive-luxury-shopping-severely-hit-by-surgical-strike-on-black-money/feed/0A Wellness destination Par Excellencehttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/a-wellness-destination-par-excellance/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/a-wellness-destination-par-excellance/#commentsThu, 13 Oct 2016 08:00:08 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=6476More than just a luxury hotel, The Imperial is a destination in itself, acknowledged for its exemplary art deco architecture, historic collection of artworks, impeccable service and unconventional appearance. Taking the tradition further is The Imperial Spa and Salon, a world of ultimate relaxation and sublime opulence. One of the largest city spas in India...

]]>More than just a luxury hotel, The Imperial is a destination in itself, acknowledged for its exemplary art deco architecture, historic collection of artworks, impeccable service and unconventional appearance. Taking the tradition further is The Imperial Spa and Salon, a world of ultimate relaxation and sublime opulence. One of the largest city spas in India for The Imperial launched in December 2010, it has been honoured with multiple awards since its inception, including the Global Award Winner 2015 Best Luxury Wellness Retreat India and Best Spa Interiors by GeoSpa asiaSpa India Awards 2015 & 2014. Nestling amidst the landscaped gardens of one of the Asia’s finest luxury hotels, The Imperial Spa evokes a feeling of spiritual harmony, at the very outset. Intricate architecture highlighting the influences of Mughal traditions and Indian motifs embedded beautifully in different spaces adorn the expansive spa, creating an aesthetic space meant for the rejuvenation of mind, body and soul. The philosophy of The Imperial Spa is founded in a living awareness of the value of wellness through a healing touch, a nurturing environment, cleansing, yoga, signature holistic massages, peace and deep relaxation as essential elements in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

WINING WELCOME | A reception as beautiful as this augurs well for the indulgences to follow at The Imperial Spa

The reception, all white marble with intricate motifs, Moroccan style braziers and a cosy sitting area, is surrounded by nine Sufi themed treatment rooms for international and signature therapies, including the luxurious private couples’ therapy abode- Moghul suite – and Kerala Suite for traditional Ayurvedic therapies. The Imperial spa is a perfect abode to indulge in spa therapies designed with signature oils from its own SUFI signature blends and administered by highly-trained, hand-picked therapists. Hydro Therapy areas and changing rooms with spacious vanity areas, ensure privacy and leisurely indulgence. The traditional Ayurvedic rituals on offer are also accompanied by an in-house Ayurvedic doctor’s consultation and spa cuisine which adds to the presence of premium Spanish skin care brand, Natura Bisse, and SUFI skin care range, all offered in a pristine environment housed in breath-taking architecture. As Ms. Jacqualine Tara Herron, Director of The Imperial Spa, Salon & Health and Racquet Club, aptly sums it up, “Our team of caring spa professionals are here to make your journey through the Imperial Spa a meaningful and heartfelt experience that will plant seeds of positivity and wellness enriching your life onwards”.

MUGHAL MYSTICA | The Moghul Suite is a royal refuge for couples who want to soak in some exclusive treatments

As we take a deep dive into the regalia that is the spa, we talked to the spa director, Jacqualine Tara Herron, a seasoned wellness professional with over two decades of experience, who spearheaded the 16000 sq ft Imperial Spa project from concept to launch in 2010, staying on till 2014. After a two and half year stint developing a wellness retreat In China, J Tara Herron has re-joined The Imperial as Director of The Imperial Spa, Salon, Health & Racquet Club and is all set to take on new challenges of the luxury wellness in the hospitality industry. While this is where she currently is at, Tara’s career in wellness and spa began years ago in the UK & USA as a yoga/meditation teacher, aromatherapist and stress consultant. In 1990 she founded ‘Yogic Solutions’ seeing clients and operating an accredited body/mind training school. She has since collaborated on the conceptual and creative formation of global spa developments which brought her to India as she worked on prestige projects like One and Only, Taj Exotica, The Royal Crescent, Tor Spa Retreat, Octave Living and The Imperial New Delhi. Here are excerpts from our chat with her, where she talks about her love for Sufism, India, latest beauty innovations and some must-dos for optimal living.

The Luxe Café: From your sojourns in the West, travelling around, teaching Yoga, and finding Yogic Solutions, how did India come to figure in your scheme of things?I was always interested in spirituality and further got into learning yoga, astrology, ayurveda and holistic healing while travelling far and wide, leaning towards Eastern influences and Sufi mysticism, living in a monastery in Maui, and taking up courses in healing arts along the way. After about ten years in the US, I came back to England and registered for a degree in aromatics and healing at Warwick. While not much for pre-planning, my interests carried me along and I also set up the Evolved Healing Arts school in Bath where I taught holistic living courses, and went on to developing the Yogic Solutions brand of products. A meeting with Rosamond Freeman-Attwood, who developed the Aman Spa, brought me to work with Taj Exotica and that was the start of my travels to India. While I was engaged in spa consultancies and developing product lines, trainings et al, I was referred for the role of Spa Director at The Imperial and as things came together, I found myself working on developing this beautiful spa project where I stayed on for the next four years following the launch and where I am at now, having come a full circle, as it were.

AYURVEDIC ABODE | With traditional therapies being offered by in-house trained therapists, the Kerala suite provides the perfect ambience for receiving the treatments

What are the elements essential to setting up a spa and what are the challenges that one has to face in the process?If you are building something from scratch, it is not only about procuring the material but paying attention to how that material fits into the larger theme and design to create a memorable visual experience. While I had always wanted to create a Sufi-inspired spa, and my own design experience, having designed my own outfits and a product line, went some way, I was convinced all the more about the Imperial Spa project when I saw the tiles embossed with Mughal motifs. Operational instinct came together with design instinct as the space came to life, bracing in its aesthetic scape and authentic in its ode to the theme, where each piece and part was specifically sourced – from the antique tapestries with Mughal art, the Moroccan style lamps, the Sufi poetry engraved on the tiles, to the in-house product range named Sufi. Spa is a stylish business and spas need to impress with visual grace, as what comes foremost is to create the ambience even as the treatments and massages come after. Another critical element is preparing for a team of trained therapists who are aligned with your vision so that there is a set standard that one can replicate and keep refining. The creative license that I had when I started work on The Imperial Spa was crucial to my scheme of things as I worked to optimise on a collective vision, which you sense as you step into the spa, which for me is the labour of my love.

SERENE SPLENDOUR | This relaxation area at the spa is kitted out with details which make it aesthetically pleasing and also perfect to lounge in

Where do you see the beauty and wellness industry heading towards? What are the latest innovations in treatments and therapies that one should look out for?To begin, I believe in wellness coming together with aesthetics to combine for a holistic, targeted treatment. I am very enthused about non-invasive procedures which are a meeting ground of hi-tech innovations and wellness rituals. One in particular is the high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) which can be used for face sculpting and requires a medispa atmosphere. As we look forward, we will find the indigenous techniques coming together with scientific techniques, symbolising a mix of the old and new. The changes that I see happening point towards a fusion of salon beauty treatments, anti-ageing tech, which are then finding space within the wellness industry which is riding high on a general awareness of toxins on everyday environments and advanced ways of battling the aftereffects. So, one can witness the surge in medispas which incorporate treatments such as colonic irrigation, vitamin drips and other focused detox therapies which are then paving the way ahead as spas start to address physical as well psychological concerns, working on the inside out.

LOVE AND LIGHT | Experience the warmth of the Jacuzzi at the spa which is ensconced in this intricately designed chamber

What are some of the signature spa treatments at The Imperial Spa and what are some of the upcoming additions to the spa menu?Spas offer one an escape to a different world where there’s something meaningful awaiting them, in terms of reconnecting with one’s body and spirit. At The Imperial Spa, there’s a whole host of therapies and treatments on offer. But a quick guide to some our best will include the anti-ageing skincare treatments like Diamond DNA, using intensive serums and algae masks, and the Timeless Age treatment which is very hydrating for mature skin. When it comes to body treatments, there’s the signature massage ritual using our Sufi range of oils and there’s the 91 minute indulgent Imperial Death combining different techniques like Swedish, deep tissue, energy balancing and reflexology which I developed an all-in-one aligning mind, body and spirit. As spas are all about preventive therapy, massages top the list of such therapies. We also offer time tested ayurvedic rituals like the shirodhara which is done in our specially designed Kerala suite. In the new spa menu, about to be unveiled soon, I have am incorporating other ayurvedic treatments such as a tridosha facia using pure herbal ingredients, a ritual only for hands and feets, another based on the four hands abhyanga, and a lymphatic drainage ritual. This will be accompanied by the launch of our specially developed product line including Himalayan hot soaks using Himalayan salts.

WHITE PERFECT | A sight for the sore eyes, The Imperial Spa make for the perfect escape for the city dwellers who want some holistic me time

What are your tips for making the most of spa visits? Which is your favourite spa outside India?The secret of getting the best spa experience starts with getting an expert trained therapist, so ask and enquire before you book. During the therapy, knowing the pressure you like and telling that to the spa therapist is important. You will realise that doing light massage is as artful a technique as doing a deep massage. Also, it is advised that you have a shower before a massage as the oils works well and if possible, you should keep the oils on for few hours post massage as it seeps in. And remember to relax after a massage as enhances the after effects. My one favourite spa haunt is this luxury health resort called Kamalaya in Koh Samui, Thailand.

Would you want to share some tips and tricks with our woman readers looking for expert advice?I have always followed these rules and advise others to do so as well-

Dress fab as you want to feel

Cleanse and moisturise your skin at night for sure

Exfoliate at night which is better

When you wake up freshen up with a flower water and put on at least 30 Spf

Also, to maintain a fit figure, yoga is best as it maintains a feminine shape and addresses all parts of the body.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/a-wellness-destination-par-excellance/feed/0From New Delhi to New York: Art in Transithttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/from-new-delhi-to-new-york-art-in-transit/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/from-new-delhi-to-new-york-art-in-transit/#commentsTue, 13 Sep 2016 04:43:16 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=6279Christie’s is a name that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour, offering around 350 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s has since conducted some of the most celebrated auctions...

]]>Christie’s is a name that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour, offering around 350 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s has since conducted some of the most celebrated auctions through the centuries, showcasing prodigious artists and their prolific art before the connoisseurs, collectors and the art enthusiasts. With a global presence spanning across 46 countries, with 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai, Christie’s has also been the leading force with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. 2016 marks Christie’s 250th anniversary and is a landmark year in its illustrious history which has well informed the global art landscape.

UNITITLED | A rare, early work by celebrated artist VS Gaitonde, this artwork is also on the cover of the catalogue and in the collection showcased at Taj Mnashingh, New Delhi

Following Christie’s last two auctions of South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art in Mumbai and London, where new benchmarks were set for works by renowned artist Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, including the new world auction record for any modern Indian work of art, there is on schedule another South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art auction to be held in New York on 14 September 2016, which is also part of Asian Art Week in New York. The auction presents paintings by leading modern Indian masters, such as Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, Syed Haider Raza, Francis Newton Souza, Maqbool Fida Husain and Jehangir Sabavala, alongside significant contemporary works by Bharti Kher, Subodh Gupta, Shilpa Gupta and Sheba Chhachhi. Also included are important works by South Asian modernists George Keyt, Abdur Rahman Chughtai, Rashid Choudhury and Sheikh Mohammed Sultan. This iconic sale offers an overview of the past 100 years of Indian art making.

Ahead of the New York auction, and fortunately for those closer home, Christie’s held its 20th exhibition in India with 10 selected highlights on view at The Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi in a preview exhibition open to the public on 24 & 25 August. Works by Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, Syed Haider Raza, Jehangir Sabavala, Francis Newton Souza, JagdishSwaminathan and Bikash Bhattacharjee, to name a few, were exhibited ahead of their flight to New York, where these works are presented at another open-to-the-public viewing at Christie’s Rockefeller Centre before the auction on 14 September.

THE TEMPEST | One of the sale preview highlights, Syed Haider Raza’s L’Orage, painted in 1975, is a fitting title for the climax of his expressionistic use of colour

Featured on the cover of the catalogue is a work of great import by Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, also on view in the New Delhi exhibition. A leading star of the impending auction, this is an oil on canvas painted in 1970 by Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, whose unmistakable treatment of the canvas using roller and pallet knife, layering, adding and taking away pigment give the painting a marine like quality, is evident amply in this painting, Untitled, which displays a kind of non-objective chiaroscuro, and is a meditative masterpiece representing a cornerstone in Gaitonde’s oeuvre. Joining this luminary, in the Delhi exhibition and the following international auction, is Syed Haider Raza painted L’Orage (the tempest) in 1975, a fitting title for the climax of his expressionistic use of colour. Both these works made for worthy highlights in a collection which showcased the vibrant virtuosity of Indian art and its evolving brilliance, an ‘august’ treat for the Delhi art lovers.

With the above as the context, here are some deeper insights into the business and buying of art, uncovered during a conversation with Sonal Singh, Head of Department, South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art, at Christie’s, based out Mumbai. In Delhi for the exhibition at Taj Mansingh, we spoke about the highlights of the collection exhibited, the difficulty of picking a few favourites from among the brilliant bevy of artists, her take on art buying and collecting among other topics. For her, a passion for creating works of art transformed into a passion for curating exhibitions as she has worked with some of India’s leading contemporary artists including Subodh Gupta, Atul Dodiya and Anju Dodiya, and, more recently, has headed Christie’s auctions in India. About her passion which is her profession, she adds, ‘Working closely with artists over the course of my career has given me a much deeper understanding and appreciation of each individual artist’s work. Every artist I have worked with has become special to me.’

The Luxe Café: The highlights of the NY sale include VS Gaitonde and Raza. Could you please tell us a bit more about other works on display?With about 100 artworks in the collection on display, this exhibition brings to fore a range of artists from South Asia, both modern and contemporary. Representing key artists from Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Indian subcontinent, the artworks have a wide price range where the lowest priced one is for about 2000 USD. The idea here is to encourage people from different walks of life to participate and interact with art, which remains not just a collectors-only domain.

SONAL SINGH | With art as her abiding passion, she has transformed her passion for creating art into curating renowned and brilliant artists as she has headed Christie’s auctions in India

What changes have you been observing in the South Asian Art market, particularly in India? What, would you say, is the future?
There has been an economic boom with respect to art in general, not just restricted to art in South Asia. Even now, the market stays strong and prices are stable. There was a high point in 2015 when a record high price was achieved for a South Asian artist at an auction by Christies and the artist was V S Gaitonde. While the market evolves in a dynamic fashion, the rule of the thumb is to include the best artworks and then to have the best follow.

Could you tell us about the art investment scenario in India, and its future compared to that in the West?Lots of art funds came up in late 2000, but of late, one has not heard of many others. Usually, its people investing in art in a personal capacity. If you are an investor yourself, then you need to think carefully, as it’s an asset and not a liability. It’s difficult to specifically out down what will give you returns for sure, but if you have good understanding of the market, you would end up with a mature investment decision.

The culture of collecting art is growing in India and it has been a legacy staring out with royals who were patrons across categories. Christie’s also encourages enthusiasts to collect across genres, from paintings to silver to jewellery. Collecting as a habit or trend is present across the world. Countries which are richer have the capacity to spend more but it’s a growing market in India. The idea behind this exhibition is to demystify auction houses. Christie’s has been holding auctions in India since 2013 and a part of the efforts have gone into encouraging art lovers to indulge their interest and update their knowledge, even if they don’t buy, inspired by the talks and sales organised by Christie’s.

HISTORY IN A PAINTING | Commemorating 250 years of Christie’s history, artist Adam Dant has created a special drawing which encapsulates an edited history of the auction house

What are the parameters, based on which, art works are selected for exhibition and auction at Christie’s?
In an art saturated market, Christie’s usually showcases works by artists who have exhibited before and are established names. Christie’s follows the lives and works of these artists as it nurtures their creative strengths, in a way. Christie’s does not work directly with artists but with collectors and buyers who are looking to sell/buy. The focus is on quality and we work to get the best possible artworks available for a said artist.

How is the market for flat art compared to sculptures and installations in Asia?
India has a strong sculptural tradition. Historically, flat art flourished in terms of miniatures but people also collected statues. Collectors are more inclined towards canvas because of paucity of space needed for sculptural or other forms of art. If one had a palatial space, then installations can be housed, but the usual trend is towards buying flat art, although of late, there’s a lot interest in collecting digital art and photography.

Tell us something about your personal taste in art? What according to you sells the best in India?
It is difficult to pin down a few favourites, but some from this collection would be Bharti Kher’s art work, which is like supernova. Then there’s the Sabawala, VS Gaitonde’s Untitled and of course, the watercolour by Bhupen Kakkar.

In terms of what sells best are rare works and best examples by artists with really interesting provenance. People love the story associated with the art work and that adds to its value. But collectors are very well keeled into the trends as the market is maturing.

What new additions, in terms of artists and collaborations, can we expect from Christie’s in the future?
With the 250 Years anniversary that Christies is celebrating, there is an exciting collaboration with Christie’s working with resident artist, Adam Dant, who’s created an artistic foldout which delineates the history of this prestigious auction house. There’s also a book coming out which focuses on jewellery as collectibles.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/from-new-delhi-to-new-york-art-in-transit/feed/0Out of the Ordinary: Intriguing nuggets of history at Christie’shttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/out-of-the-ordinary-intriguing-nuggets-of-history-at-christies/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/out-of-the-ordinary-intriguing-nuggets-of-history-at-christies/#commentsMon, 08 Aug 2016 05:38:57 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=6030The events around Christie’s 250th anniversary include a very intriguing auction, just round the corner. On 14 September 2016 Christie’s South Kensington, London, will host Out of the Ordinary – The 250th Anniversary Edition. The annual auction is a celebration of all things out of the ordinary: the unique, the extraordinary and the exceptional. How this for the...

]]>The events around Christie’s 250th anniversary include a very intriguing auction, just round the corner. On 14 September 2016 Christie’s South Kensington, London, will host Out of the Ordinary – The 250th Anniversary Edition. The annual auction is a celebration of all things out of the ordinary: the unique, the extraordinary and the exceptional. How this for the extraordinary: a set of keys from the Titanic and a silk head scarf owned by Lawrence of Arabia? Told you it’s unique!

This year’s edition comprises over 90 lots selected for the intriguing stories they tell. Every object and work of art featured in the sale will be on view to the public in a five-week summer exhibition, from 6 August up until the evening of the auction. The exhibition is free and open to everyone. The highlight of the sale is actually a diverse collection of memorabilia compiled by the Jersey based collector David Gainsborough Roberts, who has spent the last forty years amassing memorabilia from the worlds of film and entertainment, royalty and politics, sport, and travel and exploration. These include personal possessions of many celebrated and renowned names of the 19th and 20th centuries such as Queen Victoria, Sir Winston Churchill, Lawrence of Arabia, the Duchess of Windsor, William Harrison “Jack” Dempsey and Captain Robert Falcon Scott, among a host of others. So, along with the keys from the Titanic, and the silk head scarf and agal owned by Lawrence of Arabia (estimate: £3,000-5,000 and £10,000-15,000) there’s also pair of ear clips owned and worn by the Duchess of Windsor (estimate: £8,000-12,000); and a Stetson presented to Sir Winston Churchill by the City of Calgary (estimate: £4,000-6,000).

Roberts explained in a statement: “After collecting for over forty years the time has finally arrived to share my collection with the world. I hope my insatiable appetite for the curious, the famous and the infamous will inspire a new generation of custodians.”

The Leica Camera Family Tree

A further highlight is the Leica Camera Family Tree, an artwork displaying 107 Leica cameras that chart the history of renowned camera maker Leica from circa 1923 to 2006 (estimate: £350,000-450,000).

LEICA CAMERA FAMILY TREE | An artwork displaying 107 Leica cameras that chart the history of the camera maker from 1923 to 2006 (Courtesy: Christie’s)

The introduction of the Leica heralded a new type of photographer: the photojournalist, who made use of the camera’s small size, with an ability to work unobtrusively in low-light or fast-moving conditions with previously difficult subjects. Leica users such as Robert Capa, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Nick Ut, André Kertész, Andreas Feininger, AleksanderRodchenko, Leni Reifenstahl, Robert Doisneau, Bert Hardy, George Rodger and the great Henri Cartier-Bresson were amongst the many photographers who used the Leica to create some of the world’s best known images. In 2014 Leica celebrated 100 years of Leica photography with an exhibition titled 36 aus 100 (‘36 from 100’).

1904 Sold Gold Olympic Medal

OLYMPIC GOLD | Hunter was awarded the 14 carat gold Golf medal at the St. Louis Games, one of only two Olympics in which the winners were presented with solid gold medals (Courtesy: Christie’s)

A selection of Olympic memorabilia, led by a 1904 Olympic gold medal awarded to American amateur golfer Robert E. Hunter is also up for sale (estimate: £20,000-30,000). Hunter was awarded the 14 carat gold Golf medal as part of the winning team at the Olympic Games in St. Louis. The St. Louis Games were the first to award gold, silver and bronze medals, and was one of only two Olympics in which the winners were presented with solid gold medals, making this medal particularly rare. In addition to the gold medal awarded to Robert E. Hunter, only two other team gold medals for golf are known to date. Golf was last played in the Olympic Games in 1904 in St. Louis and it is fitting to be offering this medal in the year the sport returns to the Olympic schedule after an absence of 112 years.

Also featured in the auction is an aluminium torch made for the 2012 London Paralympics Games offered together with an official Paralympics uniform (estimate: £1,000-1,500); and a collection of golfing medals and trophy cups awarded to Robert E. Hunter, together with a signed published diary by Robert Hunter (estimate: £6,000-10,000).

Silver Jaguar XJ8 armoured LWB saloon

BARONESS THATCHER OFFICIAL JAGUAR | Also loaned to David Cameron during 2010 election and used by him en route to Downing Street after his first meeting with the Queen as Prime Minister (Courtesy: Christie’s)

For auto enthusiasts, there’s something special: a car that has made extraordinary journeys: a silver Jaguar XJ8 armoured LWB saloon, the last official car allocated to the late Baroness Thatcher by The Government Car Service (a division of the Department for Transport) (estimate: £15,000-25,000). Whilst other official cars were used during Margaret Thatcher’s time in office, both as Prime Minister and as an ex-Prime Minister, this is the only official car used by her that can be substantiated. This Jaguar saloon was also loaned to David Cameron during the 2010 election and was used by him en route to Downing Street after his first meeting with the Queen at Buckingham Palace as Prime Minister. The car was paid for by HM Treasury, and the funds raised from the sale of the car will go back to the Treasury. The car’s numerous impressive features include 6 speed automatic transmission, liquid silver exterior, discreetly armoured enhancement including titanium roof, ballistic steel armouring, under-floor Kevlar protection, bullet-resistant borosilicate glazing, tyres with run flat capability and six-piston Alcon mono-block brake callipers to the front and four-piston Alcon mono-block brake callipers to the rear. Whew!

This set of keys belonged to Samuel Ernest Hemming, the lamp trimmer on board RMS TITANIC. He was known as ‘Plenty of time, Sir’ Hemmings as that was his response when the officers tried to make him hurry to the boats. Aged 43 at the time of the sinking, he had been at sea since the age of 15, and with White Star Line for five years. His duties were ‘to mix the paint, and all that kind of thing for the ship, and to look after all the decks, trim all the lamps, and get them in proper order, and to put the lights in at night-time and take them off at daybreak’ (taken from evidence Hemming gave to the US Senatorial Titanic Inquiry).

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/out-of-the-ordinary-intriguing-nuggets-of-history-at-christies/feed/0Legendary canes on sale at Christie’shttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/legendary-canes-on-sale-at-christies/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/legendary-canes-on-sale-at-christies/#commentsWed, 20 Jul 2016 17:53:09 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=5844There’s always something fascinating to reach out for in the world of Christie’s auctions. But you couldn’t have imagined something as mundane as the cane to assume so much artistic value. But then, these canes on auction aren’t just any canes—they belong to two major superstars from their respective fields. Feast your eyes on the...

]]>There’s always something fascinating to reach out for in the world of Christie’s auctions. But you couldn’t have imagined something as mundane as the cane to assume so much artistic value. But then, these canes on auction aren’t just any canes—they belong to two major superstars from their respective fields. Feast your eyes on the cane that counts.

Ranjitsinhji was the first Indian superstar in the history of cricket. Having learned to play at the prestigious Rajkumar College, Rajkot, he became the first Indian to earn a cricket blue, playing 9 matches for Cambridge University in 1893. Supremely style conscious, he also became the first undergraduate to drive a car through Cambridge. Ranji introduced the leg glance into cricket, and in partnership with C.B Fry dazzled as a batsman for Sussex, also proving a useful change-bowler and competent slip. Between 1895 and 1904 he was never outside the top five in the county averages, compiling a total of fourteen double centuries. In 1896 he performed the unprecedented feat of scoring two centuries against Yorskshire on the same day.

He scored 62 and 154 not out in his first Test, appeared in four Test series for England against Australia, and led a tour to North America in 1899. In 1907 he became jam sahib of the small Indian state of Nawanagar. This took his life back to India and away from the game. His accession had long been a matter of hope rather than certainty, as he was not a direct heir. However, this cane is a wonderful example of the princely style he adopted after coming to England. Light and perfectly weighted, the magical cane was a symbol of the power he might one day assume; it was an opulent fashion accessory for a man who batted in futtering silk shirts and cared deeply about appearances; and above all it was something to swing joyfully very like his bat. This is a palm wood cane with 9ct. rose gold band, engraved ‘KSR’ and with impressed ‘f’ hallmark for 1901, rose gold mount on tip of handle, length 840mm. Comes with 6 framed photographs, too.

Whereas K.S. Ranjitsinhji’s cane (lot 236) was a mark of his opulence, Charlie Chaplin’s cane was important as his only remaining possession. Maurice Bessy writes: ‘The character of Charlie is not a comic character. His shabby clothes are those of a man who is down on his luck. The cane is a mark of snobbishness. It is the sole remaining personal possession of this unfortunate fellow, and that is why he flourishes it with such pride’ (Charlie Chaplin, London, 1985, p.29). It is a Whangee cane, 82cm. in length with some chips, and slight wear to base, mounted in a contemporary black-painted wood frame with applied figure of a spanner at the corners, and with a white metal display plaque engraved: ‘Presented to the Tivoli Cinema London UK Modern Times 1936’ (red ‘velvet’ case lining renewed, later cardboard backing). The present cane is sold with the Tivoli Magazine Programme (London, 1936) presenting Modern Times, front wrapper with design of Chaplin with cane and in bowler hat; also sold with a non-vintage photograph of Chaplin in tramp costume.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/legendary-canes-on-sale-at-christies/feed/0Christie’s 10 commandments for new collectorshttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/christies-10-commandments-for-new-collectors/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/christies-10-commandments-for-new-collectors/#commentsMon, 27 Jun 2016 02:49:54 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=5626Turning yourself into a connoisseur of art is an art in itself. You need a keen eye for fine detail, a shrewd sense of emerging trends, and knowledge of the history behind each piece. But fret not — we have some spot-on advice from the stables of the world’s leading art business and fine art...

]]>Turning yourself into a connoisseur of art is an art in itself. You need a keen eye for fine detail, a shrewd sense of emerging trends, and knowledge of the history behind each piece. But fret not — we have some spot-on advice from the stables of the world’s leading art business and fine art auction house—Christie’s. Straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.

A selection of specialists, gallerists and dealers reveal their secrets on how to turn from a novice into a collector in the contemporary art market:

1. Buy with your heart — but have a strategy

The art that catches your heart would catch your money too. But even in love, you need preparation. ‘I always tell clients you buy with your heart but your brain has to come into play,’ says Han-I Wang, a First Open auctions specialist in New York. ‘That means taking ownership of a piece by knowing where the momentum is and buying with a strategy. For example, you might want to set a maximum bid before you buy at auction.’

Obviously, when you’re buying a masterpiece, you’d want to show it off. But when you bring home some of the most famous names in the history of art, take care they don’t feel out of place in your abode! ‘Remember that buying art for your home means that you will live with it every day,’ says Dina Zhang, a First Open specialist in Hong Kong. ‘It is important, therefore, to select works that please your eye rather than buying as an investment.’ Works from different decades and by artists with markedly different styles can comfortably co-exist in the same space. ‘A well-curated art collection can reinforce the style and tone you’ve chosen for your home, whether it’s opulence, drama, or bright show-stopping colours,’ says Zhang.

3. Scout for early works by established masters

Seasoned collectors are always on the lookout for major works by established artists, and these remain out of reach for the collections of mere mortals. But don’t despair— there are more accessible works, even for novice collectors. An artist’s early drawings, for example, represent a fantastic starting point for anyone wishing to own a work by a famous name. Also, certain motifs remain incredibly important to artists, recurring throughout their careers and becoming an essential part of their visual vocabulary. When buying, consider going for works that capture some of the most distinct elements of an artist’s practice.

MARY HEILMANN | Glazed ceramic, estimated at £4,000-6,000

4. Pay attention to provenance

‘In simple terms, provenance is the record of ownership for a work of art,’ says Han-I Wang. Did an important collector own the piece? Has it been exhibited before? These factors will play into the work’s price, so keep an eye out for this information in the sale catalogues. Digging into the past has been known to yield treasures!

5. Navigate the now

Embrace technology more than ever. ‘There’s a much more open feeling among younger artists and collectors,’ says Bianca Chu, Head of Sale for First Open in London. ‘It’s easier to gain access and understanding about contemporary artists thanks to social media platforms and the way we use imagery today has affected the way we collect art.

‘It sounds basic but a great way for collectors to learn about artists is using hashtags on Instagram. You see lots of images — who has posted them and where they have been posted from. Virtual reality has become engrained in contemporary art.’

MICHAEL DEAN | Digital C-print, estimated at£2,000-3,000

6. Stay on top of trends

Like all things beautiful, the trends in art dominate the present. ‘Now the trend seems to be African art,’ says Seattle-based gallerist Mariane Ibrahim. ‘I’m told the next big thing will be minimalist contemporary art from Korea. Trends are advantageous because they expose people to work they haven’t seen.’

‘One of the best things about major art fairs,’ says Stephen Mccoubrey, co-curator of the UBS Art Collection, ‘is that it is a fantastic learning experience and a great place to pick up new ideas. There’s nowhere else like Art Basel Hong Kong for seeing so much Asian art in one place, with south-east Asian galleries like Nadi, and Arndt which provides a really interesting window on the Indonesian scene. You may know an artist, but their new body of work can be wildly different in form and function. We’re now starting to see this, in cultures such as South Korea and China where formal abstraction has no background.

Collectors should be paying attention to the structure surrounding the artist, says Viviane Silvera, director of On Art, a contemporary art tour, and filmmaker: ‘Are they with the right gallery? Are they with an influential dealer who will get their work in the right shows?’ Attention to detail is everything, and asking the right questions can make a big difference.

9. Get your mistakes in early

‘Art is a bit like wine — seductive and about getting merry but the higher enjoyment comes in the subtlety and development of one’s palette,’ says Toby Clark of the Vigo Gallery in London. ‘You need to take the plunge and also to make mistakes. When starting out, making a mistake on an emerging artist is not such a big deal if you love the work.’ After all, practice makes perfect—and if you’re not making mistakes, you’re not really learning.

PAUL THEK | Oil on canvas, in two parts, estimated at £15,000-20,000

10. Look under the radar

Beating the hordes to the finish line definitely beats jumping on the bandwagon with everyone else. Your best bet is to work on digging up some originality. ‘Try to find the artist before the deluge of hype,’ argues veteran art dealer Guy Sainty. ‘Too many people in the contemporary art market still wait to buy things when they’re at the top of the market,’ he says. And before you think that’s difficult, here’s the next little surprise—cherish art for art’s sake. Yes, we’re asking you to put the investment concerns on the backfoot—and put your heart first. ‘Never think of art as an investment,”says Sainty, “but be sure your money is well spent. The two considerations are quite separate.’

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/christies-10-commandments-for-new-collectors/feed/0Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2016 Asia Kicks Off In Stylehttp://www.theluxecafe.com/life/celebs-and-lifestyle/luxury-lifestyle-awards-2016-asia-kicks-off-in-style/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/life/celebs-and-lifestyle/luxury-lifestyle-awards-2016-asia-kicks-off-in-style/#commentsSat, 20 Feb 2016 10:56:11 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=4075The Luxury Lifestyle Awards announces Asia 2015 Gala Ceremony to take place on the 25th of February 2016. The most anticipated event in the world of luxury will welcome its prominent guests of leading luxury companies and brands, key media representatives and celebrities from 10 countries of Asia region at the fabulous Fairmont Singapore. The...

]]>The Luxury Lifestyle Awards announces Asia 2015 Gala Ceremony to take place on the 25th of February 2016. The most anticipated event in the world of luxury will welcome its prominent guests of leading luxury companies and brands, key media representatives and celebrities from 10 countries of Asia region at the fabulous Fairmont Singapore. The Luxe Café is pleased to be a media partner for such an event which marks the spirit and energy of the world of luxury.

The Awards Gala Ceremony will reveal the winners in all the categories of luxury business, ensuring their recognition among the global audience. The winners will be awarded with an official trophy – Golden Crown – a true masterpiece, handcrafted by Italian brand Faraone Mennella. The guests are invited to enjoy a breath-taking night in Casino Royale style, experience fine dining, range of exclusive cocktails provided by Alcohol Partner – Campari Group and vibrant entertaining show. Bespoke bouquets for the winners and ballroom floral decorations are designed by Official Partner Flower Factory. The Gala Evening will be enlightened with mesmerizing jewellery creations presented by Caratell (Singapore), Chara Wen (Taiwan) and MBj (India).

Celebration goes hand in hand with great networking opportunities, allowing the guests to acquire new business contacts in the favourably informal atmosphere. The attendees are encouraged to bring business cards to participate in the Grand Raffle organized by an Exclusive Diamond Partner – World of Diamonds – and win a Fancy Deep Reddish Purple Diamond.

All the memorable moments of the event will be captured by an Official Vision Partner – Skuter Creative – and will get a wide coverage within the Award’s Official Media Partners net: JETGALA, SOLITAIRE, ONE COAST MAGAZINE, Prestige Singapore, PIN PRESTIGE, Prestige Malaysia, TheTopTier, Lifestyle+Travel, Luxe In A City, Top 10 of Malaysia, AspirantSG, 2luxury2, The Luxe Café, Luxe Society, Money & I Magazine, Abraxas Lifestyle, Luxuria Lifestyle, Luxury Society Asia, Explore Philippines, Live to Explore and Le CITY deluxe.

The Luxury Lifestyle Awards expresses its gratitude for the great support of the event to the Ten Group Exclusive Concierge Partner; ENRICH Loyalty by Malaysia Airlines as an Official Loyalty Partner; Fashion Partner Covetella; PARKROYAL on Pickering as an Exclusive Leisure Partner; Australian Fruit Juice (RIPE) and Chocoélf for making the event unforgettably sweet.
The whole night would be impossible without the contribution of INX Events & Productions.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2015 Asia promises to be one of the most enchanting and noticeable events of the year in the world of luxury that should not be missed.

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/life/celebs-and-lifestyle/luxury-lifestyle-awards-2016-asia-kicks-off-in-style/feed/0Of games, glam and art of horse-breedinghttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/of-games-glam-and-art-of-horse-breeding/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/of-games-glam-and-art-of-horse-breeding/#commentsSat, 10 Oct 2015 10:25:10 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=3172For Cyrus Poonawalla “The sport of horse racing and breeding is one of great agony and ecstasy.” As the scion of the man who started the Poona Stud Farm in 1940, he puts it all in perspective as he says, “When you have a champion horse, you are right on top, but when your horse...

]]>For Cyrus Poonawalla “The sport of horse racing and breeding is one of great agony and ecstasy.” As the scion of the man who started the Poona Stud Farm in 1940, he puts it all in perspective as he says, “When you have a champion horse, you are right on top, but when your horse gets beaten or dies you are 10 feet under.” And this is the emotional gravitas associated with loving all things equestrian. Once a pursuit of only the royals, the love and passion for horses went beyond as the well-heeled, well-travelled aesthetes took to the equine sports as a luxe pursuit and went on to keep stud farms with some prized breeds sourced from different corners of the world. And putting a more intense spin on the love for horses is Kanwar Raghavendra Singh Dundlod who maintains, “Grace, beauty, loyalty, bravery and speed are the special qualities of the Marwari horses, while their trademarks are their inward lyre-shaped ears that are unique only to them.” His dedication is to the cause of preserving Marwari horses, a breed indigenous to Rajasthan, and he started the Marwari Bloodlines, a breeding programme, and is also the co-founder of the Indigenous Horse Society of India (IHSI) for the care, conservation and recognition of these horses.

With the above cited gentlemen proving their long-standing love for horses, it makes sense to cast an eye on the past where we see that along the course of the rich history of our continent, one ubiquitous sight has been that of horses. Through ancient wars to outdoor games of the maharajas or royal ceremonies, a horse with all its majesty exemplified grandeur. The strength in number of horses often spelled the power of a kingdom and being a good rider showed individual prowess .The legendary phrase ‘A knight in shining armour’ illustrates absolute gallantry on a striking horse. Through time and immemorial, horses have lent their nobility to the skyline by guiding their master to the moon.

After all, in a race, polo match or other equestrian sports, the winner along with the horse are both felicitated for their achievement. And the horse with the most winning streak, has the highest price on offer. Horses continue to be an asset and while they are high maintenance, it is all worth it and those in the business are willing to go to any extent.

The opportunity to import, gave a real boost to this industry. Zeyn Mirza, racing manager to Vijay Mallya, says, “The horse breeding industry was stifled by licensing and restriction of foreign exchange. But that is history. Licensing has been relaxed and foreign exchange is readily available. Now we are able to import better quality stock and improve and upgrade the thoroughbred”.

Mallya has over 100 horses – mostly mares — at his Kunigal stud farm where he breeds racehorses. At times, particularly after a successful breeding season, the number goes up to 250. There are about 80 racehorses in training at any given time. The number of people on the farm working round the clock almost outdoes the number of horses.

Shailendra Singh, more popularly known as ‘Chhota’ in the riding circles, has one of the oldest stud farms in Bulandshehr with approximately three hundred thoroughbreds, that fetch anywhere between a lakh to 70 lakh. Singh explains “Thoroughbreds are those whose lineage can be traced to one set of parents, they hail mostly from USA, Ireland, Newzealand and because of their agility are meant for racing”. Thoroughbreds can be picked up for racing, at as early an age as two years and usually considered fit enough up to eight years of age, after which they are used in polo.

The farm has a huge entourage tending to the horses, breaking them in and training them when season is round the corner. The horses roam in the lush greens as the syces look into their next feed. They require a very high protein diet and prices have skyrocketed over time. Mr Singh says, “Nowadays for the horses, oats are costing Rs1800 per quintal, hence their feed has been replaced by barley at many places which comes to Rs 1500 per quintel.”

While India has traditionally been known for some horse breeds, none of them qualify to be race horses or even polo for that matter. In Rajasthan, there are some smaller scale breeders with local breeds, such as, Marwari horses and Kanthiawari but they don’t match up.

Other than thoroughbreds, there are warmbloods that are used for equestrian sports such as dressage or show jumping. They are stalkier and more muscular in form and usually come from Germany, and other parts of Europe. The Dutch and Arabian variety, are most popular.

“As a polo player, a string of eight horses are required and most good polo players have their own horses that they then play a season”

According to Angad Kalaan, a well known polo player who owns horses, the horse evolution has taken place after the British raj. He says, “In India the breeding started with the army, as very few stocks were there. They began to import and then over time, some good stud farms sprang”. Also during partition, a lot of stud farms went to the other side, hence we had to build new breeds.” The enthusiasts are willing to stop at nothing short to ensure a healthy horse and a winning partnership. Kalaan says, “The quality of grass has deteriorated over time, so we import timothy hay from Europe or alfaalfa from Australia”. To increase productivity, Angad feeds his horses a concoction of special pellets, oil, molasses, sugar and necessary salts.

In polo, a cross between thoroughbreds and Criolle (South American) horses are fairly common. Industrialist and Polo player Naveen Jindal, has won many a matches on them though at present his farm has ponies from UK and Australia. As a polo player, a string of eight horses are required and most good polo players have their own horses that they then play a season.

Polo player Samir Suhag who is gearing up for the oncoming season, says, “The horses are expected to be quick around the corners like a soccer player, the speed, agility and maneuvering all go into it. Hence thoroughbreds that no more race but fast enough, are used .Mine are all thoroughbreds from stud farms in India”.

The breeding scene in India, is what is keeping the action alive. One of the biggest stud farms is in Tohana and the most quality horses are known to be bred here that go on to clinch recognition internationally. Vikram Singh owner of Vikram Greenland stud farm has horses from USA, UK, Ireland and France and says by now he has the knack of recognising which horse has a long innings ahead. He has a full time veterinarian doctor on call. His youngest daughter Sasha Singh has just bagged a gold medal in under 12, at Equestrian in Germany. Giving full marks to her home bred horse she says, “Lodrino is taking me places!”

]]>http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/of-games-glam-and-art-of-horse-breeding/feed/0Keep it simple, says the Maharaja of Jodhpurhttp://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/keep-it-simple-says-the-maharaja-of-jodhpur/
http://www.theluxecafe.com/stories/keep-it-simple-says-the-maharaja-of-jodhpur/#commentsMon, 21 Sep 2015 11:21:43 +0000http://www.theluxecafe.com/?post_type=stories&p=3094Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur is the epitome of living life king-size. Known for his sophisticated style and royal charm, he is a taste-maker of the first order who believes in keeping things simple. Not one to follow, he leads with example when he emphasizes on comfort being an intrinsic part of any luxury that...

]]>Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur is the epitome of living life king-size. Known for his sophisticated style and royal charm, he is a taste-maker of the first order who believes in keeping things simple. Not one to follow, he leads with example when he emphasizes on comfort being an intrinsic part of any luxury that comes to you, and sets himself apart with his perfectly tailored, relaxed traditional attires.

An avid world-traveller, he loves going back to nature and game parks are one of his favourites.

Closer home, he has Umaid Bhawan named one of the best palace hotels in the world, while the Mehrangarh Fort has turned into an internationally acclaimed museum under his close supervision. His flair for restoring ancient palaces and conserving history is apparent in his first choice of hotels—the heritage properties. Another reason for this choice is the old-world style service offered in these. And warm hospitality is the key here, as he is also known for being a very generous host himself, besides being an icon of royal tastes and pursuits. Here is an exclusive peek into the Maharaja’s thoughts, insights and more about luxury and living.